Devotional 3-23-08

The Good Ole Days
Psalm 118: 5 – 14

We live in a world that threatens us. The influences are many and most appear to be negative. We long for the “Good Ole Days”. They are mythical days where it appears we were less stressed and safer. It is no doubt that we live in a complex and at times a dangerous world. I am not sure it was any better at any other point in history. I think back to when I was a teenager in the 1960s and I thought we had it worse that the 1950s. Then in the 1980s and 1990s when my children were in high school and college, I thought it was even worse than when I was a teenager. Today as my grandchildren are being born, I wonder what obstacles they will face as they move toward maturity.

The psalmist has been stressed. He has attempted to put his trust in princes and other mortals but they have failed him. He is beset on every side. He is being pushed hard. It is a scary time for him. So much for the “good ole days.”

It is a natural and common experience to want to escape our situations. We want to believe that someone had it easier than we do. No matter how advanced we become technologically, we will never find the peace we want outside of a relationship with our God who offers true and lasting peace. I realize that the future for my grandchildren will be no different than it was for their 85-year-old great grandfather. The world offers many obstacles and temptations. As long as we keep our eyes on the prize, as long as we keep our eyes upon Jesus, we will be fine. Lent is a time when we can recognize the times we lost that focus.
We can resonate with the palmist when he said in verses 13 – 14:

“I was pushed hard, so that I was falling, but the LORD helped me. The LORD is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.”

It is just as true today as it was in the “Good Ole Days!!”

Rev. David Johnson

Devotional 3-22-08

Please read John 19:38-42

The Bible is full of examples of God’s will being fulfilled by unlikely candidates. Think about it. A prince of Egypt led the Israelites out of captivity. An unwed teen became the mother of the Savior of the world. A persecutor of Christians carried the gospel message to the ends of the earth. The list goes on and on.

Consider the case of Nicodemus. Nicodemus is only mentioned in the Gospel of John, and only in three brief encounters. He came with Joseph of Arimathea bearing spices to help prepare the body of Jesus for burial. I can imagine Nicodemus, as he and Joseph were preparing Jesus’ body, thinking about how he came to know Jesus. I imagine that as a Pharisee, Nicodemus was concerned about this Jesus he was hearing about, who was stirring up crowds, healing, and casting out demons. Nicodemus and the other Pharisees were following Jesus to catch him in some violation of the law. Nicodemus witnessed the miracles and heard the sermons of Jesus. I wonder when his contempt for Jesus abated. Which miracle, or sign, or sermon “got to” Nicodemus? When was the hour he first believed?

We’ll never know. But we know something happened that changed Nicodemus. He went to visit Jesus—in the night, so he wouldn’t be seen. He had a conversation with Jesus that confused him—something about being born again. And it was to Nicodemus that Jesus spoke the words that have become the most familiar bible verse: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

When we meet Jesus face to face, transformation is inevitable. This was true for Nicodemus. Later he would defend Jesus among those Jewish leaders who would convict him without a trial. But after Jesus’ death on the cross, it became evident that Nicodemus’ transformation was complete.

I can hear Nicodemus rehearsing in his mind the earlier conversation with Jesus. And I can picture Nicodemus considering where he had been, and where he now was. From gathering evidence to convict a rabble-rouser to gathering myrrh and aloes to prepare Jesus according to Jewish burial customs.

During his night visit with Jesus, Nicodemus had been confused by Jesus’ statement about being born again. That night, with Joseph of Arimathea, with the myrrh and the aloes and the strips of linen…I imagine that Nicodemus got it.

Dear God, we thank you for loving the world so much that all we have to do is believe, and live. Thank you for your transforming grace. Amen.

Jeff Taylor

Devotional 3-21-08

THE GEESE IN THE STORM

Lectionary Reading: John 13: 36 – 38

Amos Speerman was a Maine potato farmer. He lived in a rural community near the great Northern Woods. His simple lifestyle reflected his modest needs. His religious life was equally plain spoken: Amos was a simple believer. As one of the proverbial pillars in the local Methodist Church, he was a solid Trinitarian. On those occasions when the congregation recited the Nicene Creed during worship, Amos' voice rang out with conviction... "the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, one in being with the Father." After all, the concept that God the Creator was incarnate in the person of Jesus Christ had been adopted by the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD. So, who was Amos to dispute such a long standing claim? Within the comfort of his traditional Sunday worship service, the triune reality was clear and convincing to Amos: one God manifest in three separate component parts.

But, late at night as he studied the flickering embers in his fireplace and pondered life's meaning, Amos secretly admitted that the Christian doctrine of Incarnation made little sense. How could anything as powerful as God the Creator become fully vested in the body of any solitary human being, and why in the world would God the Infinite ever do such a thing? It was a puzzle for him which would not resolve.

One afternoon in late March, while tending his fields, an unexpected snow storm quickly developed and drove Amos indoors to the warmth of his hearth. Blizzard conditions soon materialized, and visibility across the fields of the farm became difficult. The fierce storm railed on through dusk, and, just about the time when the tree lines became absorbed in darkness, Amos heard repeated thumping sounds coming from outside his house. Curious as to the source of these strange noises, he ventured outdoors into the swirling wind.

Through the darkness he saw a large gaggle of geese grounded on the field closest to his house. The migrating fowl appeared disoriented by the blinding snow. They flapped their wings aimlessly and flew in random low circles. Some were dazed and physically injured from having flown into the side of Amos' house. He quickly ascertained that without food or shelter these geese were in danger and, with equal speed, he seized upon their deliverance. "The barn", he hissed into the wind, "I must get them into the barn".

He raced to his largest barn which housed his livestock; tore open the latches on the main barn doors; and quickly turned on the inside lights. A dim glow radiated out into the cold night air. With the barn doors wide open, the stalls and grain bins located inside were revealed to the geese. Then he ran back to the center of the circle where most of the geese were concentrated and shouted "into the barn . . . get in the barn". But the geese were not inclined to notice either the barn or their need for safety. None of the geese moved in the direction of the beaconing barn.
Undeterred Amos ran into his kitchen. He soon reappeared outside and ran back into the circle of geese with a loaf of bread in one hand and a lit lantern in the other. He set the lantern on the ground and broke the bread into small pieces, making a bread trail into the heart of the barn. But the geese were not hungry and none followed his bread line anywhere.

Fully frustrated, he ran to the rear of the gaggle and attempted to run individual geese through the barn's open doors. This only resulted in a more widely scattered circle of geese, with not one goose secured inside the barn's safety.

Breathless, Amos cursed the darkness . . . 'Why can't I get their attention; why won't they follow me; I know what's best and what's safe for them, so why do they just ignore me?" As he raised his hands to his hips in an effort to catch his breath, he said out loud, "if only I were a goose, I could save them. If I were a goose I would be like them and they would be like me, and then we could communicate, and where I led them, they would follow . . . if only I were a goose."

When he heard himself say those 6 words a second time a cathartic moment occurred in his life. Like lightening, the Incarnation puzzle was solved. There, in the middle of his windswept field, Amos fell to his knees. Boundless joy filled his heart while tears of thanksgiving filled his face. The Incarnation was a mystery no more. If only I were a goose I would be like them and they would follow me.

"If only I were a goose" he prayed, "I could teach, heal and witness to them. I could work miracles for them; make sacrifices for them, and help them learn how to pray. I could single some of them out for discipleship, and together we could testify to the others that the barn is the only place on this farm where safety and meaningful living can be found . . . a life which overcomes and outlasts all storms. And, if they still persisted in not going into that barn, I could fly over the barn's doors, spread my wings, allow myself to be nailed to the wall and die there so that all the other geese could see me. Because I showed them the way through sacrificing my life, surely they would follow me and find their way into that barn."

For the first time in his life of faith Amos, on his knees in that field, understood Incarnation. To this point, the concept of Trinity had been words on a page to be recited in church but not truly lived in real time. In his encounter with those geese, he had actually become engaged by a fully present God interacting with him in a manner unavailable to a Creator who had chosen to merely remain distant. The power of the Incarnation simply took Amos' breath away.

And, whatever became of those stranded geese in Amos' field? Fortunately for us, the verdict is still out on that question. Today as you read this writing we find ourselves still in the month of March with life's storm still raging all around us. But the real truth about the shallow nature of our faith is that neither you nor I have yet to fully commit ourselves to going into the safety of that barn. Today, on Good Friday, the darkest day in all Christendom, there is really one and only one question for us all . . . Will we?

Tom Craig

Devotional 3-20-08

Jesus chose on his last day to eat with his friends. He sat around the table with them, he washed their feet, he showed them what it is like to truly be a servant. He predicted what all of them would do. One of you will betray me…another will deny me…all of you will desert me. Those who were closest to Jesus were the ones who seemed to leave when the going got rough.


As we get ready to conclude this time of self-reflection and self-examination…let us consider when there have been times when we have deserted Jesus. When have there been times when we have turned our backs on the God who loves us so deeply?

In spite of the things that the disciples did and in spite of the things that we do to put up walls between us, Jesus reaches through all of that and shows us life. On that Maundy Thursday a series of events were set into motion. The cheers of Palm Sunday were drastically changed into the jeers of Good Friday. Hope seemed to fade from the world. Death’s vale had fallen upon the earth.

For those few days, it was as if the world had died. In some ways it is as if the entire world was in the most severe part of winter. All hope seemed to be lost…the color of love seemed to fall away from the earth…everything seemed dark. But in the midst of the death, we are reminded that there IS life. Jesus broke through the darkness of death…he thawed the coldness of hopelessness and gave us life.


Today is the first day of Spring, it’s a day when we begin to think about new life…warmer weather…sunshine and flowers. We know that as the days get longer we will see more color…the grass will be greener, the flowers will begin to spring up. We will begin to see signs of life.


As we continue Holy Week and look at the events leading to Jesus’ death may we be reminded that the Good News does not end there. There is life beyond death…there is hope offered to us through the love and grace of God. As we see the signs of life around us this first day of spring, let us remember the life that Jesus offers to us through his death and resurrection.

Rev. Carol McKay

Devotional 3-19-08

Scripture Readings: Psalm 55; Psalm 74; Lamentations 2:1-9, 14-17; 2 Corinthians 1:23-2:11 and Mark 12: 1-11.

My heart is in anguish within me, the terrors of death have fallen upon me, Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me, And I say, “O that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; truly I would flee far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; I would hurry to find a shelter for myself from the raging wind and tempest.” Psalm 55: 4-8.

Most of us consider Wednesday to be mid-week and when we make it to this point in our weekly cycle, we are close enough to a weekend to begin to anticipate our weekend plans and activities. The anticipation we feel is generally positive as we anticipate a “change of scenery” from our weekday schedules. None of the gospels tell us what Jesus and the disciples did on the Wednesday of Holy Week. We rejoin the events of the week on Thursday when we learn of the last supper, the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus’ arrest, etc.

As I pondered this devotional I was overwhelmed by the human emotions that are associated with anticipation, particularly with the anxiety associated with a potentially negative or harmful event. When faced with a major problem or dilemma, there is a certain amount of dread and frustration. As humans, we handle these emotions in a variety of ways: we talk, we eat, we get “sick”, we get mad, we whine and complain, and on and on…

We can only imagine, then, what must have been churning through Jesus’ mind as he anticipated the next days. We have a glimpse of his emotions as he prayed in the Garden: “remove this cup from me; yet, not my will, but yours, Father.” The emotions expressed by Jesus are very real to us and very human. Jesus also expressed a deep sorrowful loneliness in the prayers of the Garden. The angst and loneliness of Jesus in the words of his prayers are almost palpable. Yet, He was resigned to follow through with the plan. I can’t really imagine what it would be like to know enough about the future to know that my death would be as painful and humiliatingly public as Jesus’ death was to be. I believe that there is only one source for the strength Jesus received to complete the responsibilities of “the Plan”.

Too often I try to skip over the hard things in life: To live on the surface and not feel things deeply, because the fear, loneliness and hurt seem unbearable—even the anticipation is sometimes overwhelming. Jesus walked toward the last hours of his life surrounded by multitudes, but seemingly alone. God was totally with him, but did not intervene in the horrific events and few felt the presence of God in the unfolding saga. Jesus showed us through this lonely walk, that we each face the future as individuals with the benefit of Jesus as our guide and protector. We have a new covenant and can experience an individual relationship with God because of Jesus’ sacrifice. We do have to walk the journey of our life, but: We are never alone—God is always with us!

Jesus walked this lonesome valley,
He had to walk it by Himself.
O, nobody else could walk it for Him.
He had to walk it by Himself.
We must walk the lonesome valley
We must walk it by ourselves
O, nobody else can walk it for us
We have to walk it by ourselves.
Anonymous-American Spiritual

Dear God, We come to you in gratitude for the ultimate sacrifice of your son. We know that the Jesus walked this path for each of us. There are really no words to express the magnitude of this gift of grace given for all of mankind. Help us to individually accept the gift by opening our hearts to your love, forgiveness and steadfastness. Help us to live more like Jesus each day. Deliver us, dear Father, from our fears and anxieties so that we can fully experience our life’s walk with you. Amen.

Chyrl Budd

Devotional 3-18-08

Please read Psalm 6

A Psalm for Mercy in Troubled Times

Evidently the writer of the Psalm (David) thinks God is angry with him and asks the Lord not to punish him when he is angry. David admits he is weak, and that he is tired of crying to the Lord. Do we sometimes feel as if the Lord is not hearing us at all? I'm not sure I cry or would cry about it as David did, but I am sure I am sometimes frustrated.

In (verse 9) David says: “The Lord has heard my cry for help: the Lord will answer my prayers." The Lord does always answer our prayer, but sometimes the answer is not the one we want. Most of the time we find out that we were better off not getting our "yes: from God.

In Psalm 94 David is saying: “God will pay back his enemies,” and in verse 11 he says "the Lord knows what people think." I know that I have had thoughts I really prefer God not knowing, but as David says in the next verse "Lord, those you correct are happy."

I remember one time when my son was very small I had spanked him about something. I have no idea what the spanking was about since it happened so many years ago. He looked up at me and thanked me for the spanking. In stunned disbelief I looked at him and he said "Now I know you really love me." Is that how we feel about God, when he corrects us? David says, Lord, those you correct are happy. Isn't it wonderful that God even bothers with us, that he sent his Son to live among us, to suffer for us, to die for us so that we can be forgiven for the things we have done that we're not proud of, the things we have said and the thought we have had. Just thinking of Easter morning makes me happy.

My friend Stella Reed wrote this poem several years ago. It has meaning for me and I am sure it will for you too.

Lent Is

A morning time of tears and pain
Leads to Alleluias of rising again
The spring time of life and light
Replacing the long, dark night
As we pray and fast these forty days of Lent
The love and almsgiving are well spent
Easter Sunday comes, we should not be the same
Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again.

Gloria Peek-Rosenblum

Devotional 3-17-08

Scripture readings are included in the following poem, italicized.

God Walks with us Tonight
The man sat huddled in the doorway,
Wrapped in a ragged blanket,
Cold in body.
Cold in spirit.
His stomach empty
but his mind filled with regret.
He had no home but this doorway,
No friends,
No hope.
He cried out to God.

Save me, O God,
for the waters have come up to my neck
I sink in deep mire,
where there is no foothold
I have come into deep water,
and the flood sweeps over me.
I am weary with my crying
My throat is parched.
My eyes grow dim
with waiting for my God. (Psalm 69:1-3)

The woman crouched beside her car
leaning on the fender
as if proximity to the flat tire
would bring it back to life.
She was alone, at night
She was alone, in life.
She couldn't call her husband,
because the scent of another man
hung in the car,
and she knew it.
Cold in body,
Cold in spirit,
She cried out to God.

Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin. (Psalm 51:1-2)

The woman jerked as a hand
Cold and heavy
Landed on her shoulder.
He said, "I'll fix the tire for you."
Desperation won out over fear;
she opened the trunk,
and he set to work.
He found peace in finally making a difference
in someone else's life.
She found grace she had never experienced
because some else cared.

Blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord, Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies and
the God of all consolation,
who consoles us in our affliction,
so that we may be able to console
those who are in any affliction
with the consolation with which
we ourselves are consoled by God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

When he was finished,
she thanked him,
and gave him a blanket
that had been stored in her trunk.
She offered him money,
which he took.
As he did,
he touched her hand,
and said, "Stop crying;
go home.
God walks with both of us tonight."

Kim Matthews

Devotional 3-16-08

Read Psalm 31

Do you have a song that each time you sing it you remember a specific time in your life? My special song is “Take my Life and Let it Be.”

1. Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to thee.
   Take my hands and let them move, at the impulse of they love.
2. Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee.
   Take my voice and let me sing, always only for my king.
3. Take my lips and let them be filled with messages for thee.
   Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
4. Take my love, my God, I pour at thy feet its treasure store.
   Take myself and I will be ever only all for thee.

The first time I heard this song was at church camp when I was in high school. Every evening we had a service throughout the week. We also attended different Bible study groups in preparation for the last night of camp. On that night there was a consecration service where the youth accepted Jesus as savior if so moved. The singing of this song brings back the emotion and memories of that week at camp.

It would be wonderful if we all could remember our consecration and live our lives accordingly.

The song says it all.

Just let your heart lead you at this Lenten season to him. If you haven’t committed your life to Jesus remember that Jesus is the Light of the world and He is the way, the Truth and the light.

Praise be to the Lord for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was a besieged city (Psalm 31:21)

Love the Lord all his saints!
The Lord preserves the Faithful,
But the proud he pays back in full.
Be strong and take heart
All you who hope in the Lord.

Melanie Herr

Devotional 3-15-08

Quality Time
It’s a Saturday morning at the home improvement store. A little girl’s hair bounces as she power-walks behind her mother through the aisle of household supplies. “Is this it Mommy?” she asks, holding up an item. The mother stops and the two share an intimate discussion. In the plumbing section a small boy picks up a fitting. “What’s this, Daddy?” The father stops to explain, as a look of admiration lights up the little face—(“My Daddy’s the smartest man in the world.”)

To the parents, it’s just a trip to the store; for the children, though, it’s an odyssey—shared one-on-one time! In modern parlance, we call it “quality time.”

Christians have an unlimited opportunity for quality time—sometimes neglected—one-on-one communication with our Heavenly Father. It’s called prayer! On the Christian calendar, the Nativity and the Ascension form the bookends of our faith; they are bolstered by a foundation of prayer.

Prayer is powerful! This is amply demonstrated in both the Old and New Testaments. The circumstances differ and the results vary.

In Genesis 32, Jacob wrestles with an angel until daybreak. Could it be that a tortured conscience caused him to beseech God’s forgiveness for stealing his brother’s birthright? In the morning, Jacob said “I have seen God face to face.” Later that day Esau and he had a joyous, tearful reunion.

In the 16th Chapter of Judges, strongman Samson betrayed God’s trust by revealing to Delilah the source of his strength. As a result of his disobedience, he lost not only his strength, but also his eyesight and his freedom…he was turned over to the Philistines and chained to a pillar in the Temple of Dagon where he was mocked and reviled. A remorseful Samson pleaded with God to restore his strength that he might destroy his enemies. God heard his cry! Samson pulled the temple down, killing the Philistines and perishing with them.

A compelling prayer of love and steadfastness is found in Job 1:21. In the midst of his misery, Job falls to the ground and worships God, “The Lord gave, the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.

In John 6, Jesus was speaking to a multitude of 5000 who were hungry. As no food was available to feed them, a boy offered up his 5 loaves and two fish. Jesus took them and gave thanks for them…behold, twelve baskets of food remained when everyone had been fed.

In Luke 11, at Peter’s request, Jesus taught his disciples how to pray. It became a model prayer for believers of all generations.

In Luke 23, during his crucifixion, Jesus had compassion on his captors. “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (V. 34).

On the previous evening, Matthew 26: 39 records that at the Mount of Olives Jesus had prayed that the “cup pass from me” but in the end said “nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt.”

This reminds us that prayer is much more than a shopping list! Earnest prayer enables us to grow closer to God and better understand His will for our lives—sometimes being led in directions we would prefer not to go.

Perhaps we should again ask ourselves—in our daily agenda of priorities is prayer (quality time with God) our first….second….third….?

Anonymous

Devotional 3-14-08

Adding Something For Lent
Lent is not all about giving things up. It's also about adding good things to our lives or to others' lives -- the kind of good things that follow on what Jesus asks of us.

• Reconcile yourself to someone you don't like, or even hate or did something bad to, or just intentionally stayed away from.
• Do acts of kindness for people, just because they're there; give them little tastes of God's love.
• If you haven't taken the time lately to be in a refreshing, natural spot, do so. I live in South Point, which has wonderful hills and the Ohio River to enjoy some peace and rest. You have places where you live, too. Even if it's a brief stay, even a half-hour or so, try it.
• Study, meditate, and pray over one or two Scripture passages for each day, through a daily lectionary (assigned Bible readings for each day), the Upper Room (Scripture-based devotions), or devotional booklets or email lists.
• Think upon something ordinary that you do every day, and think about God while doing it, in a way that ties into what you're doing. Or think of a place you come to regularly, and each time think where Christ might be in this place, what Christ might do there, or what you might be led to do for Christ.
• Attend special worship services. Perhaps it's a liturgical church's daily morning or evening prayer service (Matins and Vespers). Perhaps it's a Wednesday Lenten service. Or maybe it's time you started going to the Sunday morning services every Sunday or Thursday.
• Try to find a new way every day to bring to mind Jesus' death on the cross, and why it happened.

This year, my add-in will be to spend an average of a half-hour a day more each week in face-to-face activities with other people than I have been doing. but it is what I need to do if I am to grow toward Jesus.

Amy Inghram

Devotional 3-13-08

Scripture: Matthew 6: 9-13

A few months ago our Johnson Memorial Sanctuary Choir sang the anthem, “Thy Will Be Done,” by Joyce Eiler. Both the words –which I am sharing- and the music are beautiful.

Sometimes the load is heavy, and sometimes the road is long. And sometimes, Lord, this heart of mine is not so very strong. But Thy will be done, Lord, Thy will be done. Father, I do not ask You to take this cup from me. I only ask Your guidance o’er paths I cannot see. And Thy will be done, Lord, Thy will be done.

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever, A-men.

Now, Lord, I feel you near me, I feel Your guiding pow’r. And know you’re standing by me through ev’ry passing hour. And Thy will be done, Lord, Thy will be done.

Have you ever known a teenager who couldn’t wait to get a driver’s license? No? When I was in my teens, we were a one-car family and four members already had their licenses. The car always was in use, and when I was old enough to get a learner’s permit, I wasn’t at all interested. Two city buses went near our house every half and quarter hour, and if I ever did need another ride, someone always was there to take me.

After Phil and I were married, we lived in Memphis, TN, where he, a member of the Marine Corp, was stationed at the Naval Air Technical Training Center. Our few trips back to West Virginia, over the winding, pre-interstate highways, took 20 to 22 hours each way. (We had a cousin who regularly made the trip in less than 12 hours, but the glove compartment of his car was crammed with speeding tickets.) After one particularly tiring trip, I decided I really should learn to help with the driving. I asked my husband to teach me how to drive.

Though I was determined to learn, I did not enjoy being behind the wheel. I disliked having to practice so much that sometimes I wished for bad weather so I could skip that day. However, one day Phil suggested that I take the driving test, and though I felt that I wasn’t ready, it actually was quite easy. Now I was a licensed driver. Still, I found no pleasure in driving anywhere or anytime.

One day an elderly friend, who was injured in a terrible car wreck a few months earlier, told me that the only way she could get into any vehicle was to pray constantly before leaving and while riding. The only trips she was able and willing to make were to her church for services. As I listened to her, I wondered if prayer could change my attitude and make being behind the wheel less of a chore. I would ask for God’s guidance the next time I drove! My confidence grew and my attitude did somewhat improve as I always paused to ask Him to keep me safe before I started a trip.

Twenty-eight years ago we moved to our farm in Ohio, and during the school year I drove daily to my school in Huntington – a 30 minute drive. On one very cold morning, I scraped the frosted windshield of my car and slowly drove up the lane to the highway. I had gone only a few feet, not enough time to pick up any speed, when suddenly the windshield became totally white in the glaring sun and all visibility disappeared. As I slowed to a complete stop, I rolled down the window beside me, and at that moment a large shadow crossed in front of the windshield. Looking out the open window, I saw a huge buck bounding across the highway, leaping the ditch and running up the hill. I was too stunned to count the points on its racks, but there were many. If I had not stopped the moment I did, that magnificent animal and my car would have collided. There would not have been a winner.

As I watched the deer disappear into the trees. I quietly prayed over and over, “Thank you, dear Lord. Thank you.”

Thy will be done.

Jean Modlin

Devotional 3-12-08

God is………..
Psalm 130

A Pilgrim Song
1-2 Help, God—the bottom has fallen out of my life! Master, hear my cry for help! Listen hard! Open your ears! Listen to my cries for mercy.

3-4 If you, God, kept records on wrongdoings, who would stand a chance? As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit, and that's why you're worshiped.

5-6 I pray to God—my life a prayer—and wait for what he'll say and do. My life's on the line before God, my Lord, waiting and watching till morning, waiting and watching till morning.

7-8 O Israel, wait and watch for God—with God's arrival comes love, with God's arrival comes generous redemption. No doubt about it—he'll redeem Israel, buy back Israel from captivity to sin.
The Message (MSG)

In verse 1-2 The Psalmist is speaking with God lamenting about his trouble and asking God to listen to his cries. We all need to speak with God as we would speak to a friend or family about our problems. God is a good listener. But we need to listen for his answers; we need to be a better listener.

In verse 3-4, the Psalmist states what we all should know. God is Love and that his forgiveness is forever. Something we all need to learn and that is forgiveness no matter what or who we need to forgive.

Verse 5-6, the Psalmist is dedicating his life to God and waiting for God to call him to his serve.

We all have been called by God by the giving of gifts. We just need to realize what are gift is and dedicate it to God’s glory.

In verse 7-8, Psalmist is foretelling the coming of God into the flesh. And the redemptive love that he will bring to all.

During this Lent time let us all learn to speak with God and listen to his answers. To know God’s love and forgiveness and share that with all we encounter.

And know that God will become man and that man, Christ, will be our Savior and redeemer.

He is Love,
Fred Herr

Devotional 3-11-08

What is Worship?

What is worship? Paul discusses the answer to this question in his first letter to the Corinthian church. What should be done in worship?

"What should be done then, my friends? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.” 1 Corinthians 14: 26b

Paul describes a church where every member is a crucial and indispensable part of the body. In order to worship God, it is necessary that the entire body be present and member using her or his particular spiritual gifts. “Let all things be done for building up.”

Does Paul describe the worship in your church?

Sometimes I feel like Sunday morning worship is something I watch, like a “spectator event.” The ministers and the worship leaders use their gifts of proclamation and music, while the rest of us soak it in, trying to have a “meaningful worship experience.” If the ministers and the worship leaders do an inadequate job, then I might not “get anything out of the service.” If someone is in my seat, or if the music is not what I am used to, it might interfere with my worship. If I didn’t get the word that someone is filling in the pulpit today, or if it is a youth-led service, then perhaps I’ll just go home and come back next week.

This passage reminds me that I should probably worry less about what somebody else is doing, and focus myself on what it is that I am bringing to God in worship. If I am so concerned about somebody else, then am I really present for worship? I need to let go of those things, and bring my offering—my prayers, presence, gifts, and service—to God.

On March 30, our church is hosting JesusQuest for the third year in a row. This is a youth-planned and youth-led alternative worship experience that is geared toward reaching out to youth and lifting youth up. I know there are many worshipers in our congregation who won’t see JesusQuest as their “thing” that they would enjoy every week; but I am so thankful that they are willing to give up what they might favor so that youth can be lifted up. By showing up, being present, offering the sacrifice from their traditional worship service, they teach our children and youth a valuable lesson about worship: It’s not about us!

Dear God: Reveal to me what my spiritual gifts are, and give me the strength and the courage to use them in worship to build up the Body of Christ. Forgive me for the ways I make worship something other than what you intended. Amen.

Jeff Taylor

Devotional 3-10-08

Musings About Lent

The Holy Season of Lent has arrived once more, but what is it? How did its observance originate? And what a peculiar name – “Lent.” Where did that name spring from? It’s not the fuzzy stuff on the filter of the clothes dryer – that’s LINT. Well, could it be the past tense of the verb “to land?” No. That doesn’t fit. So, curiosity drives me to research, as best I can, to discover the meaning of the word “Lent” and the history of this sacred observance.

As we all know, Lent is the preparatory period leading up to Ester, the climax of the spiritual year. But, what I didn’t know is that the word “Lent” itself means “lengthening spring days.” It evolved form the Indo-European langat-tin, “long” plus “day.” Come to think about it, Lent does occur in the season when each day becomes noticeably longer. The ever brightening days add to the feeling of hopefulness and optimism that we get as Easter approaches.

Well, so much for the name; but, what about origins and history?

As you can imagine, in the years after the apostles had passed away (the post apostolic period), the bishops noticed that the piety of many of the rank-and-file Christians was declining. The bishops cast about for a ritual or a celebration that would increase people’s devotion. They noticed that many Christians reserved a period prior to Easter for fasting, confession and penitence to commemorate Christ’s suffering. This time was also used for schooling candidates for baptism on Easter Eve. So, you see, the practice appears to have originated with ordinary people – not from an official edict. The bishops decided to formalize the observance, if you will, but it was slow going.

Different groups of Christians followed different customs – fasts varied from 40 hours in Rome to as much as several weeks. The practice of fasting for 40 days minus the Lord’s Day, Sunday, gradually became popular due to the religious significance of the number 40 -- it occurs many times in the Bible. By the fourth century, that time frame had become more or less universal among Christians. But it did not become official until the eighth century.

Now that 1300 years have come and gone since our holy season of Lent was formalized, how do we observe Lent today?

We have special services, drama and music; partake of the sacraments and to some extent -- fasting and sacrifice. Perhaps, for some the remembrances are enough. After all, nothing we can “give up” can compare with what Jesus endured on our behalf. Let us not forget, also, that this is a special time for penitence, thankfulness and self-denial. If we are ever going to offer prayers of gratitude, it should be now.

A prayer for Lent

Oh, Heavenly Father,
Please accept our sacrifices and prayers of gratitude that we offer at this time of year to commemorate the suffering that your son endured in order to show us the way to eternal life.

Please help us was we strive, like to many millions of others down through the centuries, to emulate the savior when you sent to be our example of living.

We ask this in his own name, Amen.

Charlie Lewis

Devotional 3-9-08

The words to the early church for this day come from the 12th Chapter of Romans. In that text, Paul offers to the church a list of “marks of the true Christian.” He includes: “Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good, love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer . . . Bless those who persecute you. . . Live in harmony . . . Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12)

I must confess that Paul’s lists can leave me a bit weary. He seems to expect so much of those who bear the name of Christ. These Lenten days of self-examination help me to see how clearly I miss the mark of God’s expectations and hopes. (I am continually thankful for God’s merciful grace and forgiveness.) As I heard this list of Paul, I thought John Wesley’s “Three Simple Rules:” Do no harm; do well; and stay in love with God. Mr. Wesley seems to take all of Paul’s lists and sums them up in three simple, easy to remember statements.

Retired Bishop Reuben Job has offered a new book for the United Methodist Church: Three Simple Rules – A Wesleyan Way of Living. He writes: There are three simple rules that have the power to change the world. While they are ancient, they have seldom been fully put to the test. But when and where practiced, the world of things as they were was shaken until a new formation, a new world was formed. The Wesleyan movement is a prime example of this new creation that is formed when these three simple rules are adopted as a way of living. (p. 7)

Do no harm. That means that I will be on guard so that all my actions and even my silence will not add injury to another of God’s children or to any part of God’s creation. I will invest in the effort to bring healing instead of hurt; wholeness instead of division; and harmony with the ways of Jesus rather than the ways of the world.

Do good. I can decide to do good to all. It is a challenging way to live. To love God with my whole being and to love my neighbors as much as I love myself will never be easy, but it is essential to our spiritual life, our life of faith, and our life with God.

Stay in love with God. Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” When we are deeply in love, we will be constantly formed and transformed by that relationship. Staying in love with God involves prayer, worship, study, and the Lord’s Supper as well as feeding the lambs, tending the sheep, and providing for the needs of others.

These three simple rules promise a way of living to change your world. It’s a way of living that can guard your life from doing evil and enable you to do good. It’s a way of living that provides a way to stay in love with God in this world and the next. In living this way we discover the full inheritance we have as the children of God.

Help us, O God to do no harm; to do good; and to stay in love with you. In Christ we pray. Amen.

Mark Conner

Three Simple Rules – A Wesleyan Way of Living by Bishop Reuben P. Job is published by Abingdon Press and can be purchased through Cokesbury for $5.00 (That isn’t a commercial for Cokesbury – just a way to get a very helpful, little book.)

Devotional 3-8-07

Joyful Worship

Scripture: Psalm 33: 1-3 Psalm 108: 1-2

Our church has recently adopted vision and mission statements which, it is hoped, will be used as a guide as we make decisions about our ministries and fulfilling the United Methodist Church’s mission to “make disciples of Jesus Christ.” According to the General Board of Discipleship, this is a four-fold task involving welcoming others into our church; helping them relate to and deepen their relationship with God through worship, prayer, study and honest sharing; nurturing them in Christian living; and supporting them in their ministries.

We have had a series of sermons examining the various aspects of our vision and mission statements. Tomorrow, the portion of the mission statement being examined is to “worship God joyfully.” Two of the lectionary readings for today tell us how to go about this. In Psalm 33, verses 1-3, we are encouraged to “sing joyfully to the Lord...praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre...sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.” Similarly, Psalm 108, verses 1 and 2 reflect the writer’s joy when he says “I will sing and make music with all my soul. Awake harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.”

When we consider the magnificence of all that God has so lovingly created, his allowing us to have control over that creation, and the great sacrifice he made for us, how can we not feel incredibly blessed and joyful? How can we not worship him with great joy? How can we keep from shouting amen and clapping and singing enthusiastically and offering praise with instruments of all kinds? The ways to show our gratitude are many, and I hope as a church we can explore different methods of worship so that all who attend can feel as though they have been able to express their joy in a way that is meaningful to them. That may involve stepping out of our comfort zone at times, but that is what being a church is all about. We must strive to respect the needs of all who are part of our congregation and to blend our worship styles such that all who enter our sanctuary can feel as though something in nearly every service touched them or fed them spiritually. Tradition has a place, but in order to nurture the members of our congregation and appeal to many who may consider attending our church, we have to be more flexible, more open-minded and willing to at least try new things and to make changes where necessary. Otherwise, we are preventing ourselves from fulfilling the mission of our church and of the United Methodist Church in general.

Prayer: Dear God, how can we possibly express our gratitude for the ways you have blessed us? Help us to remember that our worship is for you, not for each other or ourselves, and let us keep our hearts and minds open to all the ways we can express our joy in worship. Amen.

Mary Taylor

Devotional 3-7-08

The Summons

1 Corinthians 12:27-3:3:
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

The verses quoted above are one of the readings for this day during Lent. It is parts of two familiar passages, although perhaps we don’t always see them combined like this.

The idea that we all have different gifts from God is not a new one. We all, I hope, spend time trying to determine what our gifts from God are. What are your gifts? How does God want you to use them to bring about His kingdom on earth?

We all are created differently. Part of God’s creativity in the way we are designed is that we all hear God in different ways, though different means. I often hear God through music. In fact, if someone were to look back at the devotionals that I have written for our JM ministry, it would be hard to miss how this particular means of grace touches me. Almost every devotional I have written has a title which is the name of a song. God reaches me through music.

The sad fact is, however, that I have no musical talent or gifts at all. In order for God to reach me through music, someone else has to sing it. Someone else has to use his or her talents and gifts in order for me to receive this particular blessing of closeness to God through music.

I think that is amazing to consider. We are the Body of Christ, and when we share our gifts and talents, God is heard, in ways that we would never be able to experience if we were alone. I think that may be where the second part of the reading comes into play.

The greatest gift is love. Without love, all of the other gifts are nothing. To share yourself with others is to love them – it is to care so much about them that you allow yourself to be the means by which God’s grace reaches them.

Have you heard the song The Summons by John Bell? Read this verse:

Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known,
Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

Where do you need to be the means of grace? What gift do you need to share with the Body of Christ to show God’s love? Who could God reach if you “let his love be shown” in what you do?

Kim Matthews

Devotional 3-6-08

"Mr. Bill"
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. --1 Corinthians 12:27

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. --Matthew 13:43

In the past few months, our congregation has lost several of its saints. One of those was Bill Ramsey, who, along with his brother Scott, did all kinds of jobs around our church. As director of Johnson Memorial Preschool, these two men have helped me on numerous occasions; fixing leaky faucets, putting up light fixtures and shelves, etc., etc. I once whined to Bill that I had broken a nail struggling to close the door in the chapel, and within the next half hour he put a new handle on that door.

Last school year, "Mr. Bill," as he soon became known, served as the crossing guard for our preschool. Every morning he ushered the children across the alley from the parking lot, and passed the time of day with their parents, grandparents, and babysitters. When he became ill I informed the preschool families of his condition and they were all devastated. When he passed away, I again notified them and received the following note from one of the young mothers:
We are so sad to hear that Mr. Ramsey passed away! He was a bright light that lit up our mornings!

Pastor Carol introduced me to these word of St. Francis of Assisi, "Preach the gospel. And if necessary, use words." Bill never stood in the pulpit preaching the gospel, but he preached it constantly through his actions. I challenge you to be the bright light that illuminates the lives of those you touch.

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does. ~William James

Note: Image attached is of Mr. Bill and the Preschool staff.

Anita Farrell

Devotional 3-5-08

Who Do You Say I Am?

It’s easy to think you have someone figured out because you send several hours in a class or work with them on a regular basis. But as you get to know them outside that class or work, you see a different person.

So many people thought that they had Jesus figured out. Some thought Jesus to be a radical preacher, like John the Baptist. Others considered him to be a sincere religious leader like Elijah. Still others considered him to be a great prophet like Jeremiah.

All those answers contained a little truth but did not come close to Jesus’ true identity. When Peter said the he was the Messiah, the Son of the Living God, he gave the right answer even though he did not completely understand what he was saying. He still had preconceived ideas about the Messiah.

Be watchful about your own perceptions of Jesus. Be careful not to confine Jesus to a certain role in your life because of your limited understanding.

Seek Jesus more and more, until you truly know him.

Matthew 16: 13 – 20

Amy Inghram

Devotional 3-4-08

The Elementary Class at JM has been studying the Parables. We call this unit “PBS,” for the Parable Broadcast System.

The first session was “The Good Samaritan.” As you will discover, our children have the delightful ability to translate this story into the language of their everyday lives.

About the Characters: The bandits only cared about money and clothes. The priest just thought about himself, and the temple assistant was only nosy. He didn’t want to even touch the hurt guy. The Samaritan helped because he felt sorry for the man and hoped that someone would have helped him, if he needed it. And by the way, where were the police?

About the Lesson: If I don’t like someone, it doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t stand up for them. Everyone is in God’s family, even people you don’t know or like. And if someone helps you, make him your neighbor.

About Life: If you see someone crying on the playground, you should play with them. Riley did this once, but I didn’t see it because I had pick eye. Jim Ray is like the Good Samaritan because he always helps people and never misses church.

I think there is a hospital called Good Samaritan Hospital. It’s based on that story, maybe.

And We Prayed: God, you have told us that we are to love you and to love our neighbors. Sometimes it’s hard to love others. Help us to follow the example of Jesus.

Amen.

The Elementary Sunday school class
With Patrice Daniel, the teacher

Devotional 3-3-08

The Lectionary Readings for this date are: Psalms89:1-52; Genesis 49:1-28; First Corinthians 10:14-11:1; Mark 7: 24-37.

Psalms sing praises to God; Genesis covers Jacob’s blessings to his 12 sons, and 1 Corinthians tells us not to worship idols nor make sacrifices to them nor eat food that was used as a sacrifice. The Seventh Chapter of Mark, verses 24 thru 37 seemed to touch my thoughts about Lent this season.

Jesus went to the region of Tyre and entered into a private house and did not want anyone to know that he was there. Yet, he could not escape notice. A Gentile woman came to ask him to heal her daughter who had an unclean spirit. Jesus said to her that the children should be fed first and the rest be cast to the dogs. The Jews were the children and the dogs were the Gentiles. The woman said that this was true but the dogs eat the children’s crumbs under the table. Jesus said for this saying, she should go home and find the devil out of her daughter who would be lying on the bed.

Jesus had hoped to conceal himself but it did not happen. He also showed that he did not have to have the daughter of the Gentile woman present to heal her. Jesus was very humble but people sought him no matter where he would go. This would eventually lead to his death on the cross and He knew it.

Departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, Jesus came to the Sea of Galilee, through the mist of the coasts of Decapolis. Here they brought him a deaf and blind man to be healed. Jesus took him away from the multitude and healed him. Again, he did not want praise but all learned about it.

Even though Jesus knew that his popularity would lead to His demise, he could not refuse to help those who needed him. During these days of Lent, let us remember that He knew but could not stop helping His people. Jesus always looked up to the Heaven as he cured the sick; His Heavenly Father gave Him the means to cure. Let us each day look up to our Heavenly Father as we approach Easter morning when we celebrate His Son’s rising from the tomb.

Carol Brown

Devotional 3-2-08

Caught in the Middle

Lectionary Reading: Psalm 66, 67; Psalm 19, 46; Genesis 48:8-22; Romans 8:11-25; John 6:27-40

Lent is a season when we reflect on the sinless life of our Savior and the salvation he won for us through his death on the cross. It is also a time of confession, when we turn away from our sins and turn toward the forgiveness and everlasting life our Savior offers through his sacrifice for us. I don’t know about you, but as I spend time taking a closer look at my life, I quickly discover the Christian that I want to be and the Christian that I actually am are two very different things. The Apostle Paul had the same struggle. In Romans 7, verses 14 – 21, he puts into words exactly how I feel:

“We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer myself who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.”

Isn’t this the experience of any Christian? Don’t we feel caught in the middle? We want to do good, but no matter how hard we try, we find ourselves doing evil. We all struggle with temptation and sin. We all struggle with wanting to please God --- but sometimes we get so caught up in following the rules and the laws that we forget that we don’t have to overcome evil by our own strength. We are just like my four-year old, always wanting to “do it all by myself.” Instead of trying to overcome sin with our human willpower, we must remember to tap into the tremendous power of Christ that is available to us. He has made the provision for victory over sin --- He sends us the Holy Spirit to live in us and give us power. Thankfully, when we do fall, he lovingly reaches out to help us get back on our feet.

I would like to share the words to a song by Casting Crowns. The title of the song is “Somewhere in the Middle.” When I really listened to the words, I recognized just how often I am caught between wanting to do good, but choosing to do evil instead. And maybe it all really comes down to how much I am willing to surrender …..

SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE by Mark Hall

Somewhere between the hot and the cold
Somewhere between the new and the old
Somewhere between who I am and who I used to be
Somewhere in the middle, you’ll find me
Somewhere between the wrong and the right
Somewhere between the darkness and light
Somewhere between who I was and who You’re making me
Somewhere in the middle you’ll find me

Somewhere between my heart and my hands
Somewhere between my faith and my plans
Somewhere between the safety of the boat and the crashing waves
Somewhere between a whisper and a roar
Somewhere between the altar and the door
Somewhere between contented peace and always wanting more
Somewhere in the middle you’ll find me

Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control?

With eyes wide open to the difference;
The God we want and the God who is
Will we trade our dreams for His or are we caught in the middle?

Prayer: Lord, we are all caught in the middle of wanting to do right, but falling short. As we confess this to you, please help us to be more willing to trade our dreams for yours – to let go of our own agendas and to follow Your example instead. You know Lord, that sometimes we aren’t able to defend ourselves against sin’s attacks. Help us to look to you in times of struggle because we know that Jesus has conquered sin once and for all. In Jesus name, Amen

May we remember this Lenten season and everyday that God loves, heals, and restores. Praise the Lord, we don’t have to stay caught in the middle!

Elicia Bias
Bethesda United Methodist Church

Devotional 3-1-08

What Should I Do During Lent?

When I lived in England before emigrating to the United States I was a member of the Anglican Church, and the Lenten observance was strict. As a teenager I enjoyed the Palm Sunday celebration and looked forward to Easter Sunday, but I dreaded Good Friday. Perhaps it was because I was a stranger to the thought of death. No one close to me, neither family member nor friend, had died.

On Good Friday many stores closed and it was observed as a religious holiday (my, how times have changed). Always on Good Friday I had this feeling inside me, a feeling of impending doom, and I could not understand, it was something very negative.

Now, many years later I have come to a different perception, but I wonder, should we feel less than positive during Lent? Yes, I know it can be a time of self-denial, but can it not also be a proactive time when we make an effort to do something that will take dedication on our part and will have a positive result. Perhaps it could be as simple as spending more time in bible study or reaching out to cheer someone going through a difficult time. Is Lent the time we should make good on a volunteer job we have been intending to undertake for awhile? What is it that we can do and, just maybe, whatever it is will continue on beyond our glorious Easter.

"Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice" (Phil 4:4)

The LIGHT of God surrounds me,
The LOVE of God enfolds me,
The POWER of God protects me,
The PRESENCE of God watches over me,
Wherever I am, GOD is.

Jean Dean